49ers Coach Calls Ricky Pearsall’s Post-Shooting Recovery a ‘Miracle’

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan described it as a “miracle” that rookie Ricky Pearsall is on the road to recovery just days after being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Shanahan shared his admiration for Pearsall, saying, “He’s the toughest person I know, just going through a situation like that. We always felt this way watching him on the football field, but seeing how he handled this ordeal and how he’s been every day since shows how special he is.”

The 23-year-old Pearsall attended practice on Thursday, standing on the sidelines in street clothes while holding a football and observing wide receiver drills. The team is gearing up for their season opener against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Pearsall sustained a bullet wound to his chest in an incident that occurred on Saturday in San Francisco’s Union Square. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Despite his injury, the National Football League placed Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list on Monday, which will sideline him for at least the first four games of the season, as reported by ESPN.

Shanahan mentioned that the team is prioritizing Pearsall’s physical and mental recovery, emphasizing that the rookie is eager to return to play. “I think each day the mental part becomes more important. The adrenaline and just surviving that situation affects you,” Shanahan explained. “Ricky’s even saying things like, I still think I could play against the Jets.”

Shanahan found Pearsall’s eagerness amusing, saying, “It’s just like, dude, what are you talking about?”

Regarding Pearsall’s recovery, Shanahan indicated that Pearsall wants to take about a week off before starting rehabilitation. “He wants to go a week or so without trying to work up a sweat, and then he will start rehab,” he added.

In connection with the shooting, a 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged on Tuesday with attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and attempted second-degree robbery.

The suspect’s name has not been disclosed, but he was arraigned at the Youth Guidance Center in San Francisco on Wednesday. Following the court proceedings, the teen’s attorney expressed remorse for the situation. “Our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself,” said Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap. “There’s genuine remorse on their part.”

The suspect remains in custody and will await a trial date.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated that her office has not yet decided whether to request a hearing to determine if the teen will be tried as an adult. Dunlap voiced his hope that the case remains in juvenile court, asserting, “He certainly should be treated as a juvenile. He is a juvenile.”